Side Effects of Sumatriptan

Common side effects of sumatriptan can include neck pain; chest tightness or pressure; and abnormal sensations such as tingles, warmth or burning, pressure, tightness, or numbness. A few uncommon sumatriptan side effects include asthma, fainting, decreased or increased blood pressure, and breast tenderness. There are also some serious side effects with sumatriptan that you should report to your healthcare provider, including shortness of breath, bloody diarrhea, or seizures.

 

Side Effects of Sumatriptan: An Introduction

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects of sumatriptan succinate (Imitrex®). However, not everyone who takes sumatriptan will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate sumatriptan well. When people do develop sumatriptan side effects, in most cases they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
(The side effects of sumatriptan discussed below are not a complete list of side effects reported with sumatriptan. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with you.)
 

Common Side Effects of Sumatriptan

Sumatriptan has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, with many people having been evaluated. In these studies, side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are always documented and compared to the side effects that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. Based on these studies, the most common sumatriptan side effects include:
 
  • Injection site reactions (including redness, pain, or swelling) -- occurring in up to 59 percent of people who took the injected form of the drug
  • Abnormal sensations, including tingles, warmth or burning, pressure, tightness, or numbness -- up to 42 percent of people
  • Bad or unusual taste in the mouth -- up to 25 percent of people (sumatriptan nasal spray only)
  • Dizziness or a spinning sensation (vertigo) -- up to 12 percent of people
  • Flushing (redness of the skin, especially the face) -- up to 7 percent of people
  • Chest tightness or pressure -- up to 5 percent of people
  • Weakness -- up to 5 percent of people
  • Neck pain -- up to 5 percent of people.
     
Other common side effects of sumatriptan, occurring in 1 to 5 percent of people, include:
 
  • Ear, nose, or throat discomfort
  • Drowsiness
  • Muscle pain or cramps
  • Anxiety
  • Abdominal pain (or stomach pain)
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Jaw pain
  • Sweating
  • Decreased salivation
  • Drowsiness.
     
(Side Effects of Sumatriptan Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;